1. The Dancing Master
    Julie Klassen
    Bethany House / 2013 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$19.80 Retail Price$22.00 Save 10% ($2.20)
    4.2 out of 5 stars for The Dancing Master. View reviews of this product. 64 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW210709
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  1. Kezziah June
    Stafford, VA
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Beautifully Written!
    March 4, 2014
    Kezziah June
    Stafford, VA
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This was one of those books that had me from the start. I seriously couldn't put it down, and kept going till I had finished all 419 pages! (It's a long book, but it's seriously THAT good!)

    The story is about a dancing master, Alec Valcourt, who moved from London to Devonshire with his mother and sister to "start over". Problem is that the town he moved to had prohibited all dancing because of the town matriarch, Lady Amelia Midwinter. That was definitely not a good day for him, when he learned about the prohibition! Fortunately for Alec, the feeling doesn't run in the family, and he finds both a friend and a somewhat unlikely ally in Lady Midwinter's daughter, Julia (who enjoys things that are daring and against the way her mother wants them to be!). Together, they build a friendship, and change a lot about the ways things are done in their community. Not just the "rules" everyone observes, but the relationships people have with each other too.

    The book is filled with unexpected things, unlikely friendships, and connections that you never saw coming, but the ending was somewhat predictable. While the ending may have been expected, the way they got there definitely wasn't. I appreciated that the book wasn't just a work of fiction that could be considered "mindless reading", but it really, really made you think. It wasn't just about dancing, rules, and traditions... it also included two different stories of redemption, and they were beautifully written.

    Completely not related to anything in the book, but related to the cover — the back cover gives the normal description of the story, and underneath that, it gives praise for the book. That may sound normal, but what struck me as strange was how the praise wasn't for this book — it was for another one of the author's books. I actually thought I might be going crazy as I read that, so I pulled a few books off my bookshelf to make sure, but I was right — books do typically have praise for that book... not another one. I'm not sure if the praise is for this book and just lists the wrong book, but it does fit. Still, I thought that was strange.

    I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed here are completely my own.
  2. TanyaK
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Delightful Read!
    February 22, 2014
    TanyaK
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This is another wonderful novel by Julie Klassen and I haven't found one yet that hasn't been delightful! She has written another classic, one I am sure you will want to keep and read again. Filled with all the drama and insights of character, love, pride, relationships, forgiveness, faith and more.

    Mr. Valcourt, handsome, once successful dancing master with secrets to hide meets spirited and willful Julia Midwinter whose mother strikes fear into every townsperson who dares dance - because of tragedy and loss twenty years in the past that she won't forgive and forget.

    I will say that this is a story that lures you in, giving you hints at the mysterious past of several characters and how these secrets affect many in the now. By chapter seven, you should be hooked and have enough hints that you are starting to piece parts of the puzzle together. This only brings the story more to life and lends excitement, as you eagerly anticipate seeing how things will unfold and work out.

    This book still contained the mystery and well-thought out plots, like the other Klassen books. It is like Julie Klassen gently pulls a shoe string and reveals just what we need to know when we need to know it. It is never a hurried or rushed pace, but leaves the reader wanting to know more with each page read.

    The story is well written with delightful characters. Julia somewhat reminds me of Scarlett O'Hara. She is willful, selfish, spoiled and quiet the flirt. However, there is more to her than that; she is also a loyal, brave young woman, who longs for approval and love. She definitely keeps the story interesting!

    For fans of Julie Klassen this is sure to be a delight and for those that have never read one of Julie Klassen's novels, this is a good one to start with. If you like Jane Austen novels, then you should pick this one up!

    I received a copy of The Dancing Master from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.
  3. Carrie
    Virginia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Masterfully Written!
    February 13, 2014
    Carrie
    Virginia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Solid Five Stars on this beautifully written story by Julie Klassen who already has a number of awards under her belt, including a few Christy awards. I normally read my books by listening to audiobooks but that frequently means that I have to wait several months until a book has released. I began reading this book as a NetGalley download, because I didn't want to wait. But when there were too many errors for me to be able to easily read the book on Kindle (a Net Galley problem that should get resolved) I let the author know about the problem and she assisted me in obtaining a paperback copy from the publisher, in advance of release. I am not required to give a positive review and my opinions are my own.

    Julia is an impetuous young woman, in Regency England immediately after the War of 1812, being raised as Lady Amelia's daughter. When a handsome young dance master, Alec, arrives in the small village, Julia's world changes. Nice character arc for Julia as she transforms, over the course of the book, from a rebellious bratty young woman (she's adopted and this is part of her issue) into a young lady comfortable in her own skin. Just when I was wondering where Ms. Klassen was going with the spiritual arc, if anywhere, she zoomed in with a lovely resolution. This is a Christian historical romance and readers should know that it is. In particular, the very end of the book has a lovely resolution to all the faith issues in the book.

    I read this 400 page book in about 2 1/2 days because I couldn't put it down, it was so good!

    Well done!
  4. cmwinner
    Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A good read!
    February 6, 2014
    cmwinner
    Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Another great book by Julie Klassen! I've read a few of her books now and this is her newest one.

    I loved how when the book starts out the main character, Julia, is protrayed as a spoiled rich girl. However, as you read more and more you find out some much more about her. Alec comes to town to start a dancing and fencing school, only to discover that dancing has been outlawed in this town for some time! But why??? That question slowly gets answered throughout the story. There is a character introduced early on that has an air of mystery about him. Who is? What is doing in the town? Does he have anything to do with why dancing is outlawed?

    I enjoyed how Ms. Klassen introduced each of her characters and then slowly throughout the story let you know a little more about them. The mystery going on through the story keeps you wanting to read for me and leaves you routing for some of the main characters! I also enjoyed the romance in the story between not just one set of characters and the complications that there can be between two people who are of different social standings.

    I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers for purpose of this review, I was not required to write a positive review, the opinions I have expressed are my own.
  5. Cindy Downes
    Broken Arrow, OK
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    You can't go wrong with Julie Klassen's books!
    February 2, 2014
    Cindy Downes
    Broken Arrow, OK
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    You can't go wrong with a book by Julie Klassen. I've read everyone, and I'm never disappointed. She tells a great story, a story that is clean and uplifting; and, when I'm done reading the story, I always feel like it was time well spent because I have a positive outlook on life.

    The Dancing Master is no exception. Reading it is like going back in time to visit a place you've never been and people you've never met. The characters are true to the period. The plot is enjoyable and fulfilling. And you'll learn something along the way.

    No, this is not one of those "grip-you-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" novels. There's no life or death threat, no kidnappings, no murders, or other vices that are included in so many novels today. It's just a comfortable story about life in another time and place and how the people interact with each other during that era. There's just enough romance to make you smile; and, no, there are no sex scenes. Just innocent, sweet romance.

    If you're looking for an entertaining read with good moral values, I highly recommend any book Klassen has written, including this one, The Dancing Master.
Displaying items 1-5 of 64
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